Welcome to Woonsocket! Hayley, Chris, Sam, and Bethany
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The City of Woonsocket (City of Woonsocket, 2015).
Introduction: Welcome to Woonsocket! The city of Woonsocket in Rhode Island has a deep rooted historical background, but there are many other aspects that must be considered when describing the overall conditions of a town, such as the local geography, demographics, poverty rates, family life, the education system, health statistics, and general services that the town provides to its citizens. These facts and statistics can then be used by local people to evaluate the overall quality of the town and then decide whether or not it is the right place for them to live. Woonsocket is a former farming town that was later turned industrial center. It is located in the far northeast of Rhode Island, and is also the home of CVS Headquarters. It is a suburban community with affordable housing options, a good school system (along with five private school options), health care programs, and a good labor force. Its location is convenient because it is locates in the Boston Providence Worcester triangle. In addition, the town is located on a river, and, consequently, it is home to many water treatment facilities. The town regularly has city council meetings, and each meeting is clearly labeled on the town calendar, which is easily accessible, online (About Woonsocket). When looking at Woonsocket as a whole, it is obvious that there are many benefits to living here, such as the convenient location and the many schooling options. However, the startling poverty rates may be a hindering factor (Richard Salit, 2015).
Lead Author: Hayley
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Woonsocket on a map (“Woonsocket, Rhode Island,” 2015)
Geography and Environment: Woonsocket is a city located in northeastern Rhode Island on the Blackstone River. The total area of the city is 7.74 square miles, and due to its small size, only uses one zip code across the city. It is conveniently located between Worcester, Boston, and Providence. It is home to the regional wastewater plant, but is currently acting under capacity (City of Woonsocket, 2015). Looking at the climate of Woonsocket, the citizens experience an average daily high temperature lower slightly lower than the United States average as well as an average daily low that is significantly lower than the nation’s average. Woonsocket’s annual rainfall is comparable to the United State’s average year round, only fluctuating slightly above it during the spring and winter. Surprisingly, Woonsocket has a slightly increased danger of tornado’s than the rest of Rhode Island and in 1953 saw ninety deaths as a result of an category F4 tornado and over twelve-hundred injuries. Unfortunately, Woonsocket’s air registered as a 99.5 on the Air Quality Index (AQI) scale in 2012, which was significantly higher than the national average of 74.2.
Demographics: Woonsocket has evolved from a farming town into an industrial center. As of 2014, the population estimate was 41,228, with 2,248 in the labor force, and 17, 572 households. 24.0% of the population is under 18 (United States Census Bureau, 2014). There are eleven Roman Catholic churches and three Baptist churches, along with several other congregations. People in Woonsocket were more focused toward the spiritual contributions to life as opposed to the monetary. Woonsocket is a major connection to France dating back 5 centuries. These immigrants were mainly textile workers contradicting the agrarian city/ living style. Today, French-Canadians are still the largest ethnic group in Woonsocket and the city is proud of its French-Canadian heritage (“Woonsocket My Home Town On the Web,” 2007). 43.2% of the population is married, and the median age is 36.4 (City of Woonsocket, 2015).
Income/Poverty: Woonsocket, when compared to the rest of Rhode Island, has both considerably higher numbers of families in poverty as well as a considerably lower household income, even in the wealthy coastal state of Rhode Island. 25.8% of the population in Woonsocket are below the poverty line compared to Rhode Island’s poverty number at only 13.6% which is lower than the United States number of roughly 14.5%. A disturbing 31.8% of children (under 18) live in poverty in Woonsocket, which is approximately 3,146 children. Woonsocket’s median household income is $36,058 while the median for Rhode Island is $56,361, and for the US, $53,046. The per capita income, $21,088, is also significantly lower than Rhode Island’s as a whole, $30,469 (Richard Salit, 2015).
Family Life: In the state of Rhode Island, children make up for 20% of the state’s population. In Rhode Island in 2014, there were 1,055,173 people; 211,034 of them being children. Of the population in Woonsocket, that being 44,228 in 2014, 24% are children ( 9,894). In Woonsocket, only 75% have graduated from highschool and only 13% hold a bachelor's degree. In Rhode Island, 31% hold a bachelor's degree. Woonsocket has a higher rate of children living in single parent households (46%) than in two parent households ( 41%). On top of that, there is also 2% that live with non relatives and 9% that live with some sort of relative (“Children in Single-Parent Families,” n.d.).
Safety: The city of Woonsocket have exceptional police and fire departments striving to protect the community as a whole. The police department in Woonsocket has 101 sworn in policemen that work full time and respond to about 36,000 calls per year (City of Woonsocket, 2009). The Woonsocket Fire Department (Chief Paul Shatraw) is extremely active and reachable to the general public, with all of its contact information on a public webpage. It has a Class II I.S.O rating, which makes it the highest ranking Fire Department in Rhode Island. It was established in 1836, and is devoted to serving the community with “pride, professionalism, and heart” (City of Woonsocket, 2014).
Lead Author: Hayey
Health: The overall level of health in Woonsocket is generally adequate, and a wide variety of health care services are available to its citizens. Woonsocket is home to the John Fogarty Memorial Hospital, Woonsocket Health and Rehabilitation Center, as well as several other health centers and nursing homes, one of which features a helipad. Woonsocket Health Service provides a plethora of health services to the people of Woonsocket, including cardiac care, orthopedic rehab, physical rehab, occupational therapy, alzheimers care, speech therapy, hospice care, and many more. The therapists working there are full-time licensed and work one-on-one with patients to help them to eventually live independently (Zoom Company Information, 2015). There are 79 hospitals within 60 miles of Woonsocket . The county (Providence County) is that fifth healthiest county in Rhode Island (according to health factors and outcomes). In addition, it is listed as fourth for healthy behaviors. On average, people in Rhode Island spend about 0.04% more on health services than what the national average of people spend (Livability, 2015).
Lead Author: Hayley
Education: 75.9% of Woonsocket citizens older than 25 graduated high school, compared to 85.2% for Rhode Island and 86.0% for the United States (source?). As a state, Rhode Island spends about $16,135 per student (compared to $12,435 in the U.S. as a whole) and there is a 23:1 student to teacher ratio (compared to 15:1 in the U.S. as a whole). About 21.6% of Woonsocket students get some sort of a college education, while approximately 21.29% of students in the U.S. (“Woonsocket, Rhode Island,” 2015).
Conclusion: While Woonsocket is a highly functioning town with a wide range of reliable services available to its residents, the poverty levels are disturbingly high compared to the rest of Rhode Island, and the nation as a whole. Some of this may be attributed to the fact that CVS is not profiting as much as it did in previous years, or the growth of surrounding areas. Regardless of the casue, it is clear that action must be taken to reduce this statistic. However, its public schools seem to be on track with the national standards, and the health care and police protection seem to be above average. Being a place of historic background, Woonsocket has many things to do for visitors, which most likely bring in money for the town (City of Woonsocket, 2015). Overall, Woonsocket is is highly capable town, but is currently struggling financially. In order to improve its rating as an overall town, action must be taken to help out the families in need.
Hayley, Chris, Sam, and Bethany
Introduction:
Welcome to Woonsocket! The city of Woonsocket in Rhode Island has a deep rooted historical background, but there are many other aspects that must be considered when describing the overall conditions of a town, such as the local geography, demographics, poverty rates, family life, the education system, health statistics, and general services that the town provides to its citizens. These facts and statistics can then be used by local people to evaluate the overall quality of the town and then decide whether or not it is the right place for them to live. Woonsocket is a former farming town that was later turned industrial center. It is located in the far northeast of Rhode Island, and is also the home of CVS Headquarters. It is a suburban community with affordable housing options, a good school system (along with five private school options), health care programs, and a good labor force. Its location is convenient because it is locates in the Boston Providence Worcester triangle. In addition, the town is located on a river, and, consequently, it is home to many water treatment facilities. The town regularly has city council meetings, and each meeting is clearly labeled on the town calendar, which is easily accessible, online (About Woonsocket). When looking at Woonsocket as a whole, it is obvious that there are many benefits to living here, such as the convenient location and the many schooling options. However, the startling poverty rates may be a hindering factor (Richard Salit, 2015).
Lead Author: Hayley
Woonsocket on a map (“Woonsocket, Rhode Island,” 2015)
Geography and Environment:
Woonsocket is a city located in northeastern Rhode Island on the Blackstone River. The total area of the city is 7.74 square miles, and due to its small size, only uses one zip code across the city. It is conveniently located between Worcester, Boston, and Providence. It is home to the regional wastewater plant, but is currently acting under capacity (City of Woonsocket, 2015). Looking at the climate of Woonsocket, the citizens experience an average daily high temperature lower slightly lower than the United States average as well as an average daily low that is significantly lower than the nation’s average. Woonsocket’s annual rainfall is comparable to the United State’s average year round, only fluctuating slightly above it during the spring and winter. Surprisingly, Woonsocket has a slightly increased danger of tornado’s than the rest of Rhode Island and in 1953 saw ninety deaths as a result of an category F4 tornado and over twelve-hundred injuries. Unfortunately, Woonsocket’s air registered as a 99.5 on the Air Quality Index (AQI) scale in 2012, which was significantly higher than the national average of 74.2.
Demographics:
Woonsocket has evolved from a farming town into an industrial center. As of 2014, the population estimate was 41,228, with 2,248 in the labor force, and 17, 572 households. 24.0% of the population is under 18 (United States Census Bureau, 2014). There are eleven Roman Catholic churches and three Baptist churches, along with several other congregations. People in Woonsocket were more focused toward the spiritual contributions to life as opposed to the monetary. Woonsocket is a major connection to France dating back 5 centuries. These immigrants were mainly textile workers contradicting the agrarian city/ living style. Today, French-Canadians are still the largest ethnic group in Woonsocket and the city is proud of its French-Canadian heritage (“Woonsocket My Home Town On the Web,” 2007). 43.2% of the population is married, and the median age is 36.4 (City of Woonsocket, 2015).
Income/Poverty:
Woonsocket, when compared to the rest of Rhode Island, has both considerably higher numbers of families in poverty as well as a considerably lower household income, even in the wealthy coastal state of Rhode Island. 25.8% of the population in Woonsocket are below the poverty line compared to Rhode Island’s poverty number at only 13.6% which is lower than the United States number of roughly 14.5%. A disturbing 31.8% of children (under 18) live in poverty in Woonsocket, which is approximately 3,146 children. Woonsocket’s median household income is $36,058 while the median for Rhode Island is $56,361, and for the US, $53,046. The per capita income, $21,088, is also significantly lower than Rhode Island’s as a whole, $30,469 (Richard Salit, 2015).
Family Life:
In the state of Rhode Island, children make up for 20% of the state’s population. In Rhode Island in 2014, there were 1,055,173 people; 211,034 of them being children. Of the population in Woonsocket, that being 44,228 in 2014, 24% are children ( 9,894). In Woonsocket, only 75% have graduated from highschool and only 13% hold a bachelor's degree. In Rhode Island, 31% hold a bachelor's degree. Woonsocket has a higher rate of children living in single parent households (46%) than in two parent households ( 41%). On top of that, there is also 2% that live with non relatives and 9% that live with some sort of relative (“Children in Single-Parent Families,” n.d.).
Safety:
The city of Woonsocket have exceptional police and fire departments striving to protect the community as a whole. The police department in Woonsocket has 101 sworn in policemen that work full time and respond to about 36,000 calls per year (City of Woonsocket, 2009). The Woonsocket Fire Department (Chief Paul Shatraw) is extremely active and reachable to the general public, with all of its contact information on a public webpage. It has a Class II I.S.O rating, which makes it the highest ranking Fire Department in Rhode Island. It was established in 1836, and is devoted to serving the community with “pride, professionalism, and heart” (City of Woonsocket, 2014).
Lead Author: Hayey
Health:
The overall level of health in Woonsocket is generally adequate, and a wide variety of health care services are available to its citizens. Woonsocket is home to the John Fogarty Memorial Hospital, Woonsocket Health and Rehabilitation Center, as well as several other health centers and nursing homes, one of which features a helipad. Woonsocket Health Service provides a plethora of health services to the people of Woonsocket, including cardiac care, orthopedic rehab, physical rehab, occupational therapy, alzheimers care, speech therapy, hospice care, and many more. The therapists working there are full-time licensed and work one-on-one with patients to help them to eventually live independently (Zoom Company Information, 2015). There are 79 hospitals within 60 miles of Woonsocket . The county (Providence County) is that fifth healthiest county in Rhode Island (according to health factors and outcomes). In addition, it is listed as fourth for healthy behaviors. On average, people in Rhode Island spend about 0.04% more on health services than what the national average of people spend (Livability, 2015).
Lead Author: Hayley
Education:
75.9% of Woonsocket citizens older than 25 graduated high school, compared to 85.2% for Rhode Island and 86.0% for the United States (source?). As a state, Rhode Island spends about $16,135 per student (compared to $12,435 in the U.S. as a whole) and there is a 23:1 student to teacher ratio (compared to 15:1 in the U.S. as a whole). About 21.6% of Woonsocket students get some sort of a college education, while approximately 21.29% of students in the U.S. (“Woonsocket, Rhode Island,” 2015).
Conclusion:
While Woonsocket is a highly functioning town with a wide range of reliable services available to its residents, the poverty levels are disturbingly high compared to the rest of Rhode Island, and the nation as a whole. Some of this may be attributed to the fact that CVS is not profiting as much as it did in previous years, or the growth of surrounding areas. Regardless of the casue, it is clear that action must be taken to reduce this statistic. However, its public schools seem to be on track with the national standards, and the health care and police protection seem to be above average. Being a place of historic background, Woonsocket has many things to do for visitors, which most likely bring in money for the town (City of Woonsocket, 2015). Overall, Woonsocket is is highly capable town, but is currently struggling financially. In order to improve its rating as an overall town, action must be taken to help out the families in need.
Lead Author: Hayley
Bibliography
Children in Single-Parent Families. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://rikidscount.org/Portals/0/Uploads/Documents/Factbook%202015/Family%20and%20Community/Ind2-SingleParentFamilies-2015.pdf
City of Woonsocket. (2014). Woonsocket Fire Department. Retrieved from http://www.woonsocketfire.org
City of Woonsocket. (2009). Woonsocket Police Department. Retrieved from http://www.woonsocketpolice.com
City of Woonsocket. (2015). About Woonsocket. Retrieved from http://www.ci.woonsocket.ri.us/backgnd.htm
City of Woonsocket. (2015). Demographics.
City of Woonsocket. (2015). Press Releases. Retrieved from http://www.ci.woonsocket.ri.us
Livability. (2015). Health and Health Care in Woonsocket, RI. Retrieved from http://www.livability.com/ri/woonsocket/health
Richard Salit. (2015, January 21). One in Five Children in R.I. Living in Poverty, Kinds COunt Report Says. Retrieved from http://www.providencejournal.com/article/20150121/NEWS/301219986
United States Census Bureau. (2014). Woonsocket (city), Rhode Island. Retrieved from http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/44/4480780.html
Woonsocket My Home Town On the Web. (2007).
Woonsocket, Rhode Island. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.bestplaces.net/city/rhode_island/woonsocket
Zoom Company Information. (2015). Woonsocket Health & Rehabilitation Centre. Retrieved from __http://www.lexisnexis.com.uri.idm.oclc.org/hottopics/lnacademic/__
__http://www.city-data.com/city/Woonsocket-Rhode-Island.html__